South East Asia travel advice

Dave Tucker, from our supplier The Beyond Tourism Co., shares his Cambodia travel advice on how best to visit Angkor Wat: “Ask your operator how they will do sunrise at Angkor Wat differently. Everyone goes for dawn, so sometimes it’s not quite the special, serene experience you’re expecting. For example, we approach through the back gate, or you can go a bit later when the tour groups have left. Everyone wants to see the famous sunrise over the towers of Angkor Wat so there can be a lot of other people trying to do it at the same time.”

Lesley Schofield, from our supplier All Points East, shares her advice on combining Indochina countries: "Vietnam combines fantastically with other countries. Cambodia is just a short hop up the Mekong. And you can then contrast the two countries, which are really quite different. Vietnam is still a communist country so it’s got quite a different feel to it. The other place it combines very nicely with is Yunnan – that’s a fantastic trip from Hanoi up through the rice terraces into China. The other country is northern Laos. You can go into a very remote border crossing right up in the north of Vietnam. So if you do either the north or the south, and then combine it with a neighbouring country, you actually have far more overland travel and fewer flights than if you try to see all of Vietnam. It’s a bit like Europe as you only travel a very short distance to be in another country with a totally different feel."

Thailand: Travel to the Malaysia border region is not advised due to a high threat of terrorism. The Ta Krabey and Preah Vihear temples and their surroundings were once a no go area however, they have been declared safe to travel for some years now. Please check the FCO website for up-to-date information on the safety situation. Thailand: Political demonstrations occur frequently in Bangkok, and can escalate rapidly, with the use of weapons and explosives. Be especially cautious during the run-up to elections, and avoid Lumpini Park, where protesters congregate. Thai authorities operate several “Tourist’s Friend Centres” around the airports and Skytrain stations to provide information and assistance – they’re worth using. Thailand: Criticising any member of the royal family is known as Lèse Majesté and carries a prison sentence of 3-15 years. This applies to tourists as well as Thais – foreign nationals have been convicted of this crime. Be careful with bags and carry them away from the roadside – there have been reports of thieves on motorbikes or tuk tuks snatching items. Cambodia/Vietnam/Laos: All generally safe destinations, but petty crime can happen. Be sensible – don’t flash cash or valuables, and don’t wander off from the safety of your tour group. Unexploded landmines are still found across the countryside in Cambodia and Laos and in Central Vietnam along the Laos border. Keep to marked pathways in rural areas and national parks, and always keep an eye on children. Be extremely careful in more remote regions – always consult a local guide before trekking in less-visited areas of Cambodia as mined areas are not always marked away from the tourist trail. Life jackets are not routinely provided during boat travel, so do check if they are available on your boat, particularly if traveling off the coast to the islands. This is especially important when traveling with children.